Understanding the Link Between Personal Recovery Experience and Program Delivery Decisions of Administrators Working in Addiction Agencies Serving Women in Canada

Abstract

Research suggests that some administrators of addiction agencies draw heavily on their personal recovery experience when making their decisions. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of personal recovery experience in administrators’ practice-related decision making. A qualitative study involving 23 administrators of Canadian addiction agencies was conducted. The interviewed administrators incorporated their personal recovery experience into (a) clinical decisions; (b) staff supervision and in-service training; (c) program planning, development, and administration; and (d) community service planning and policymaking. Future research should address the complexity of practice-related decision making among this group of decision makers.

KEYWORDS:

• evidence-informed decision making
• addiction
• recovery
• personal experience
• research evidence
• qualitative research